NFU Mutual and Scotland Food & Drink announces Inspirational Winner

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After a tough selection process, the overall winner of the Inspirational Young Person Award 2019 has been announced.

Designed to recognise the incredible talent and dedication being shown by Scotland’s young people within the food and drink sector, the NFU Mutual and Scotland Food & Drink award has, over recent weeks, selected the four most worthy entrants who are now being recognised for their dedication and contribution to the food and drink industry.

Having announced the runner-up, in addition to two highly commended prizes, earlier in the Scottish Food & Drink Fortnight, the judges are now delighted to announce that Angus Forbes of Forbes Farm Fresh has been chosen as the overall winner.

Over the last decade, Angus, who is known in the community as Gus, turned a small scale meat business into a business renowned for selling quality locally produced beef, pork and lamb whilst also adding a massively successful outside catering business, specialising in hogg roasts. This developed Forbes Farm Fresh into the go to catering business for weddings, birthdays and community events in the local areas.

Angus found a market for quality, locally sourced meat delivered right to the customer’s door. With a focus on ensuring tailored customer satisfaction by providing bespoke orders to each individual, Angus butchers and packages the produce himself.

Angus supports both Quality Meat Scotland and NFU Scotland in their drive for Scottish meat and he regularly provides meat from his business to events promoting the quality of Scottish farming to the public. During these events Angus takes time to talk about where and how the meat is produced and provide butchery demonstrations. In addition to presenting, he has inspired many young people through holding positions as part of the Young Farms Club, helping individuals pursue their own business ideas within the sector.

Angus Forbes, said:

“Firstly, thank you to NFU Mutual along with Scotland Food & Drink for this award. As much as I would like to take all the credit, the business wouldn’t be in the position it is today without the help of all the Forbes clan. We’re quite literally the definition of a family run business. I may be at forefront but my family, especially my mother and father, put in an endless amount of hours.

At Forbes Farm Fresh, we take great pride in providing our customers with the knowledge of what they are buying with complete traceability and the highest standards of animal welfare. It’s not every day that the farmer who feeds the livestock also delivers the final product to your door.

I was incredible lucky to be given the opportunity by my parents to manage the butchery after a very unsuccessful attempt at University. Since then I am now fully qualified in butchery retail and food hygiene & safety, thanks to an apprenticeship with Scottish Meat Training.

Challenges always arise though whether it’s the growing trend of meat free diets or climate change. I do believe we are already tackling these problems with our business model and in the future will continue to do so.”

“This year saw more quality entries demonstrating diversity, excellence and customers focus. There are so many dedicated, hard-working and inspiring young people currently working in the food and drink industry and NFU Mutual is delighted to work closely with so many fantastic food and drink businesses across the sector.

I would like to congratulate Angus on his tremendous work ethic and business savvy. Taking a business and generating a diverse offering with high levels of promotion and customer service, really stood out for the judges and set him apart as the 2019 winner. His work and success in promoting quality products is a testament to the calibre of produce we have across Scotland.”

James Withers, Chief Executive at Scotland Food & Drink, said:

“Our farming, food and drink industry is full of talented youngsters who are going to be driving our sector forward in the coming years.

“Gus is a great example of this talent. He has shown how you can embrace innovation to unlock new opportunities. Livestock production in Scotland is a tough business but Gus has clearly seen the potential to embrace quality and drive a direct connection between the farm and customers. Not only does that help secure a future for his own business but it helps Scotland’s ongoing effort to strengthen our food and drink brand.”

About the Award

The NFU Mutual and Scotland Food & Drink Inspirational Young Person Award 2019 entries comprised online submissions of up to 750 words from individuals between the ages of 16 and 26 who own, work, or study within a food and drink related business, organisation or institution. The winners each receive prize money.